An analysis of scientometric data and publication policies of rheumatology journals.

We recommend that the JIF and HI pair or the ES paired with CS or SNIP be used together to evaluate rheumatology journals. We failed to show that the OA model positively affects the scientometric indexes of rheumatology journals; our results contradict the literature reporting that the OA publication model causes an increase in citations. Key Points •Clinicians should understand the scientometric indexes in rheumatology and if open access publishing affects citations (therefore, scientometric indexes). •The JIF and HI pair or the ES paired with CS or SNIP can be used to express different rankings since they are based on different databases and use different calculation methods. •We show that OA publication does not affect citations or scientometric indexes of rheumatology journals. •When choosing a rheumatology journal to publish OA, rheumatologists should consider individual OA citation patterns and APC charges together.